2012 Mazda CX-7 - A great, reliable, fuel efficient crossover

Chris

Phoenix, Oregon

Overall

3.0

Value

4.0

Performance

4.0

Style

3.0

Comfort

4.0

Fuel Economy

4.0

Reliability

5.0

2012 Mazda CX-7 - A great, reliable, fuel efficient crossover

This car feels very solidly built. I never feel like I'm going to flip, even when traveling winding grades. The cabin feels spacious, and the seats and trim leather is soft and comfortable. It is fuel efficient, which is a huge plus for a family like ours on a budget. Room is tight with rear-facing car seats, and that is difficult with an expanding family. I feel that the exterior styling leaves something to be desired. I enjoy the curves of the front end, but the rear feels naked somehow without a spoiler and even the top seems like it needs rails to feel finished. Overall, it's a good car for a small family.

This car feels very solidly built. I never feel like I'm going to flip, even when traveling winding grades. The cabin feels spacious, and the seats and trim leather is soft and comfortable. It is fuel efficient, which is a huge plus for a family like ours on a budget. Room is tight with rear-facing car seats, and that is difficult with an expanding family. I feel that the exterior styling leaves something to be desired. I enjoy the curves of the front end, but the rear feels naked somehow without a spoiler and even the top seems like it needs rails to feel finished. Overall, it's a good car for a small family.

Story

The cargo area is surprising. We had to return a dishwasher, and we were able to fit it in the car with only half the backseat folded. In fact, our toddler could still ride next to it in his car seat. Needless to say, the associates at Lowe's were impressed.

The cargo area is surprising. We had to return a dishwasher, and we were able to fit it in the car with only half the backseat folded. In fact, our toddler could still ride next to it in his car seat. Needless to say, the associates at Lowe's were impressed.

Pros

The car gets great MPG for its class. We average 24 miles to the gallon. It feels solid and grounded, even when taking turns. It has a lot of pep when starting up from a stop or going up grades. The leather interior feels high quality, it's soft and plush, not hard and uncomfortable like many non-luxury interiors. It is relatively quiet—road noise is not noticeably apparent, even at high speeds, and I don't hear any rattles. At 50,000 miles, there is no major maintenance—outside of the recommended servicing has been needed. Lots of cup holders.

The car gets great MPG for its class. We average 24 miles to the gallon. It feels solid and grounded, even when taking turns. It has a lot of pep when starting up from a stop or going up grades. The leather interior feels high quality, it's soft and plush, not hard and uncomfortable like many non-luxury interiors. It is relatively quiet—road noise is not noticeably apparent, even at high speeds, and I don't hear any rattles. At 50,000 miles, there is no major maintenance—outside of the recommended servicing has been needed. Lots of cup holders.

Cons

The rear seats become very tight with car seats. With no option to move the second row backward, we are forced into the dash when sitting in front of a car seat. The back up camera is so small, it renders it almost useless. Fog lights are not standard. We have not been able to sync up our Bluetooth phones successfully. There is no headrest over the middle seat in the second row so I cannot attach a mirror to watch our toddler in his seat. There are a lot of buttons and dials on the center console which leaves it feeling a bit cluttered. If you are over six ft., you may have a hard time see... (more)

The rear seats become very tight with car seats. With no option to move the second row backward, we are forced into the dash when sitting in front of a car seat. The back up camera is so small, it renders it almost useless. Fog lights are not standard. We have not been able to sync up our Bluetooth phones successfully. There is no headrest over the middle seat in the second row so I cannot attach a mirror to watch our toddler in his seat. There are a lot of buttons and dials on the center console which leaves it feeling a bit cluttered. If you are over six ft., you may have a hard time seeing out the front windshield. The interior is pretty—black on black on black but different-colored stitching or more detailing on the console would make it much more visually appealing.

2012 Mazda CX-7 - Reliable

VP

Sanford, North Carolina

Overall

3.0

Value

3.0

Performance

4.0

Style

4.0

Comfort

4.0

Fuel Economy

4.0

Reliability

5.0

2012 Mazda CX-7 - Reliable

The Mazda CX-7 handles very well and is built with quality materials. The interior layout is well thought out and comfortable to drive.

The Mazda CX-7 handles very well and is built with quality materials. The interior layout is well thought out and comfortable to drive.

Story

I took a trip to the mountains with my dog and husband in the CX-7 and had an absolute blast. After our tent was destroyed by an animal, we slept safe and sound in the Mazda.

I took a trip to the mountains with my dog and husband in the CX-7 and had an absolute blast. After our tent was destroyed by an animal, we slept safe and sound in the Mazda.

Pros

The Mazda CX-7 is a spacious vehicle. the seats easily fold down to give more space if needed during moving or long trips. The CX-7 has been a very reliable vehicle for me and has never had any serious issues in the 4 years and 100K+ miles I have driven it.

The Mazda CX-7 is a spacious vehicle. the seats easily fold down to give more space if needed during moving or long trips. The CX-7 has been a very reliable vehicle for me and has never had any serious issues in the 4 years and 100K+ miles I have driven it.

Cons

The negatives with the CX-7 includes the headlights. The headlights in the four years I have been driving my car have been replaced 6 times. They are dim at best when driving at night and frequently short out.

The negatives with the CX-7 includes the headlights. The headlights in the four years I have been driving my car have been replaced 6 times. They are dim at best when driving at night and frequently short out.

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